My stepson finally called tonight from Ft Dix

[Mari333]

conversation:
Him :"Hi I hear you have been trying to call me..dont do it too much Ill get in trouble"
Me: "How are you, your dad is worried and so am I..we dont know anything and wonder and worry"
Him :" this is bullshit, they wont tell us anything..one day, we might go straight to ..you know.."
Me: "Iraq?"
Him: "Ya I cant say it out loud... ya...and the next they say not yet, pretty soon..they are fucking with our heads so we cant let the cat out of the bag and tell anyone when"
Me: "You think Kirkuk?"
Him: "Nope"
Me: "Mosul?"
Him: "No"
Me: "Outskirts of Baghdad?"
Him: "looks like it might be that"
Me: "Convoys?"
Him: "dunno..I learned a lot tho..dont talk to Iraqis about their wives or women..dont show the bottom of your feet, dont stare, dont shake their hand with your left hand.."
Me: "do the wounded come thru on the way back?"
Him: "ya they said its bad and some said they got hurt with flying shrapnel, some just fell, some said some parts of Iraq arent as bad as other parts"
Me: "So its just you waiting waiting waiting eh?"
Him: "Yeah my back hurts really bad and when I told the army doc I lost my promotion because the Doc did an X Ray and I have scoliosis and Im in a lot of pain but they said I shouldnt have complained about it .."
Me: "For christs sake you have scoliosis? jesus, no one should ignore that and write it off.."
Him: "Ya but Im not important enough to take seriously Im just nobody here..all the guys in the unit hate Bush by the way and wont vote for him..man they hate him"
Me: "No kidding..they know he went AWOL?"
Him: "Ya...they didnt believe me and then it was on the news now they hate him..they all say they arent re enlisting, fuck it.."
Me: "You sound like you have bronchitis.."
Him: "I do but I cant go to the doc again they get mad when I do"
Me:" WTF...goddamit you sound like shit"
Him: "Im not gonna get in trouble again with them cause Im sick Ill just be sick..dont worry..when I get back I will sure kiss the ground cause now home really seems to be the best place in the world"
Me: "will you call me the day before you go?"
Him: "ya..I will..dont call here tho..I get in trouble"
Me: "Okay I wont but try and call us if you can "
Him: "we are all so tired and theres no phones but one and the lines are really long and we just try to sleep when we can"
Me: "we are all trying to get Bush out of office you know, so we can get you guys back asap..and maybe if we can get the bastard out you wont be in Iraq for over a year"
Him:" I hope so..I hope so..man Im tired Ill call as soon as I can and when I get back from Iraq Ill know a lot more about life I guess..okay I have to go eat.."
Me: "allright love ya"
Him: "Love ya"
we talked about a lot more, but just thought Id share some of it.
as per what I thought..
..clusterfuck of maximum proportions. all families dont know, army doesnt tell, and if the kid is sick, who gives a shit right? Hes not an officer, hes a grunt. Expendable.

[Corgigal]

1. Tell him

to hurt his trigger hand. In fact in Iraq they stopped lots of sports because of all the guys stationed there were hurting their "trigger hand".

(Secret stuff from someone who just came back and knows)

[Mari333]

2. thanks for the tip

thanks.

[southerngirlwriter]

4. I am sitting here sobbing.

Life is an ugly thing sometimes. Sometimes, sadly and horrifyingly and sickeningly, it's necessary for our military to endure hell to protect us from real threats.

This is not one of those times.

Your stepson is in mortal peril and suffering tremendously so that an overgrown frat boy with the brain of a dead mouse can further line the pockets of himself and other overprivileged wealthy bastards.

Mari, tell your son that I have no words for how grateful I am for what he's willing to do for our country, and I will work my ass off to get * out of office.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[PaDUer]

25. Mari, my heart goes out to you

and your family, son included..I'm really surprised that if he has back problems that they're keeping him there..He should go to the medics and complain, complain, complain..If it's one thing they can't disprove, it's a back injury or problem..It sounds like these guys are being abused..
Check your PM in a few minutes.

[proud patriot]

3. Hugs to you and your husband

I know it must be unbearable :hug:

[Bronco69]

5. Jeez!

The next time you talk to him, tell him that he will be in my thoughts. Poor guy! My heart goes out to him.

[Mari333]

6. I told him about DU hes just tired

and has no idea what is going to happen to him
I hope he can get out of it..I wish there were a way.
Maybe a miracle will happen and Bush will be arrested as a war criminal and all our kids will not be sent, and the loved ones we have over there will be sent home.
I can dream!

[Habibi]

7. What is all this "I get in trouble"

if he's sick or if you call shit??? He's not allowed to be contacted by family members? He's not allowed to be sick or have back pain? WTF kind of military are we running here, goddammit?

Sorry for all the cussing, but jeez.

My thoughts are with you and your family, Mari.

[Ilsa]

8. Thanks for the update.

I'm so sorry he's having to go through this. I can't wait until the general election! I'll be working to get Texas to tell Bush to go live in India, we don't want him here or DC.

[G_j]

9. it's so hard to know what to say

just know we will not be satisfied or stop resisting this madness until they are all brought home! When the Dem wins we are gonna make sure they know that also. We aint gonna study war no more!

blessings..

[TheDebbieDee]

10. He should be getting a medical discharge.........

if he's got scoliosis. The military must be really desperate for boots on the ground in Iraq to be hanging on to your stepson. Not that your stepson isn't a great soldier for the military to want to hang onto. I hope I've managed to say that in a way that won't offend.

[Mari333]

12. Thats what I told him!

that if he has scoliosis and he said they confirmed he has it, and then, they cracked his back..thats all..and told him they were sending him anyway
I told him "Boy they must be desperate to send warm bodies over there"
He said "Ya I guess they are...no one wants to go but we have to"

[PaDUer]

26. Deb, you've hit it right on the head...

I hope Mari is keeping a log of what's transpiring and how her son is being treated and the dates he's been to the medics and their response.

[DrWeird]

11. Scoliosis, eh?

Well, if they know he has it- tell him that crippling back pain is impossible to disprove. They won't ship him to Iraq if he can't stand up.

[Mari333]

13. I asked him to tell them more about the pain he said hes too scared to

he gets in trouble if he does.

[rasputin1952]

29. His Squad Leader and Plt Sgt...

will protect him if things get a little 'uneven'. That is part of their job.

Please remember, he is part of a unit, and he doesn't want to 'wimp out'; (it's a soldier thing, sometimes counterproductive to those who don't understand).

Mari...you have a wonderful son, and he will be fine. I share your concern, and it is hard to keep the tears from flowing sometimes, for all of those over there. Your son has been brought up well, and we will do all we can to get bush out and get all of our people home.

:hug:

O8)

[PaDUer]

27. And, if his legs and hands

are numb..

[kayell]

14. Scoliosis! He can probably get a medical discharge!

Edit: I see that everyone else here had the same thought. Damn, your stepson needs to get his prioritys straight about what he's most scared of. I sure hope you can help him get out on a medical.

http://147.248.153.52/robo/projects/cc_help/orthopedicsfact.rtf

SUBJECT: Medical Waivers: Orthopedic Disorders

1. The importance of recruiting cadets without significant orthopedic problems cannot be over-emphasized. The most common cause for discharge of soldiers within the first 12 months of active duty is for orthopedic conditions. This is typically due to an aggravation of a pre-existing condition. In addition, the most common cause for disenrollment from ROTC is also for orthopedic conditions. Most requested medical waivers for orthopedic disorders are from one of the following categories listed in their order of frequency:
a. Knee

snip
b. Back
(1) Scoliosis

[Mari333]

16. Im saving this to tell him what you posted

when he calls again
I hope he listens to me..he seems scared to mention it again to them. They confirmed its scoliosis, but just cracked his back. I will read to him what you said and hope he makes the right decision to complain..hes afraid to now. I guess they need all the warm bodies they can get and dont really give a shit what kind of shape they are in..remember..they are sending guys BACK from Walter Reed who have been wounded..army is stretched that thin

[rasputin1952]

15. Been down this route before, and it's never easy...

remember what I told you, these guys stick together like glue. They fight for each other, just to make sure everyone gets home.

I had to LOL with the 'talk'...brought back memories. I had a Sgt Major that had it down to a science. I once heard him say about an M-113 APC, (Armored Personnel Carrier), that went belly up, to quote:

"Fuck, fuckin' fuckers fucked, fuck it".

I had never known you could actually use that word to describe an entire event in detail!

Training is tough stuff. Ft Dix, NJ, is OK; at least he's not at Ft Bliss TX, or the National Training Center in the Mohave, Ft Irwin CA.

As for being sick, as a former Med Plt Sgt, I can tell you, sniffles, minor bronchitis, and a host of other maladies mean nothing at this point. Scoliosis, on the other hand, can get serious after a while. Back braces and heat help.

Your stepson is doing more than bush ever did! And we'll get that SOB out of office as soon as we can, and get our guys home! BTW: phone calls TO him may well indeed become a hassle for him, let him call and write you. He'll be fine, seems like you raised him right!

You're in my thoughts and prayers!

O8)

edited for clarity.

[Postman]

17. Stout Heart, Mari....

Believe he will be okay. It's all you can do, other than to pray.

We're doing all we can to bring sanity back to gov't in November.

(Maybe your stepson could ask to leave the military 8 mos early like Commander-AWOL to work on a political campaign or go to college?)

Keep us updated.

[GCP]

18. Aw, shit, Mari - I'm sitting here with tears running down my face

That fucking bastard in the White House deserves the deepest hottest pit in hell. Tell your boy that we're all fighting for him and his buddies.
Bush and his cohorts are the most evil administration this country has ever seen.

((((((hugs))))))

[Postman]

19. Call your Congressperson...

Get them on the case about sending potential medical discharge cases over to Iraq.

Think of it this way....

I hope this doesn't happen but, What if he gets into a jam over there? And he can't move 100%, and that prevents him from defending himself and others?

Seems he's more of a risk than an asset at that point, don't you think?

[Mari333]

20. I will. I call Congresspeople all the time all week

Ill mention this too. Sen Levins office is always good about this.

[Eloriel]

42. I ws going to suggest it to -- BUT

please be aware that getting a Congressman involved (and you MUST anyway) is ALSO going to bring some heat down on your stepson. But you must, anyway. When you talk to him again, just tell him to buck up. (Is there some way he can be sure -- or get copies! -- that the scoliosis is documented in his medical records? Getting copies is essential, IMO, esp. if they should be getting him OUT of the military instead of keeping him in and glossing over it.) Know what I mean?

[lovedems]

21. I am glad you finally got to talk to him.

I hope you find comfort in knowing right now he is safe and still in the USA.

I have been following your posts and it sounds like he has done alot of growing up already. I feel for you. I think if it was one of my boys I would be in the loony bin. Seriously, I don't think I could handle it.

I hope to God this asshole some call pResident is held accountable for what he has done. I do take solace in the fact that his actions are going to be held accountable by the military and their families. They don't sound very happy at all.

[junker]

22. Don't mean to meddle, but here is a small bit of wisdom from 17 years in t

the military...
1) stress kills, not only in weakening your system, but also your mind. Stress comes. Got to live with it. A healthy immune system is what allows one to grow under stress instead of failing under it. So as bizarre as this sounds, go out and purchase 100 mg C0-Q10 supplements and mail them to the kid.

Condensed version....go do more research at google.
First. CoQ10 is made from spinach. It is an absolute requirement for managing the ATP-2-ADP reaction within the body which provides actual cellular energy. It bucks up the heart, teeth, and skin. It aids in the promotion of UV ray inhibiting melatonin. It allows the mind to function by promoting healthy serotonin uptake. Et cetera et cetera.
CoQ10 is known as a vitamin in EU but not here because the body makes it (though it slows production levels after age 23 in men and drastically after 40). It is also consumed at a cellular level by stress over the long term.

Every male human needs the stuff. As do women, but the point is that the 'super soldier' program of the military reseach of the 1980s identified coQ10 as a 'vital substance necessary to human well being and the single most important non-drug source for stress management chemicals/antioxidents able to be obtained from food sources'. They studied over 19 thousand soldiers under stress....but do they give out coQ10 the way they give out bogus anthrax vaccine?????no wonder why?

It also will aid in preventing illness. And help the body heal. It is perhaps the single largest component to effective and healthy aging able to be identified as substance.

Further, add zinc-cal-mag minerals which help the body absorb nutrients from what may only be charitably described as a food by those who have not had to live on it....And help bone support/heart support where reaction time after long periods of sitting is crucial.

Also would not hurt you to check into the benefits of coQ10 for stress management. Or go see about breathing exercises.

This then is a little bit of wisdom from one who has gone through this in the past. Those who survive best both physically and mentally are those who take the time to care for the needs of the body at all levels under the stress of the situation. As normal care may not be available to your step-son under the circumstances, he needs to get smart and start taking his health and well being as his personal responsibilty. As you may have determined, the Army won't be able to spare the time for him as an individual...

bon chance to us all, especially to you and yours. My thoughts will be with him for some time. Fuck war! Support the troops - bring them home.


And hey, my personal motto as an old fart?

Get Strong to Go Long.

[Mari333]

30. Brilliant and thanks

cause he mentioned STRESS and I am ordering it and sending it
thanks with all my heart

[Eloriel]

44. B-12 helps too

Known as the "stress" vitamin -- when you're under mental and emotional stress, but also the stress of extreme cold or heat (taken with Vit. C especially helpful for heat and probably cold), and it's also helpful in getting to sleep when your mind is overly active. It helps relax you.

25 mcg. is plenty. One doesn't need huge amounts of this.

[calimary]

49. Mari - make sure he knows we are working our asses off

to get bush OUT!!!!! And to get this war STOPPED!!!!!!!! And to get our troops HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! I won't rest on this for an instant. It's my first waking thought, every morning.

[laruemtt]

23. glad you got to talk to him, Mari.

it really sounds like he needs to be out on a medical. this is insane.

[onethatcares]

24. I join the list

I wish him the best, I hope he comes home to you intact, He has my utmost respect. I have no more words to express. Peace.

[madmax]

28. Hugs, Mari

:hug:

[rasputin1952]

31. Sorry, I should have posted this earlier...

it is imperative that he gets copies of his medical records!. This is easy to do, Generally, at d/c or during movements, the records are often carried by the soldier. A pocket full of dimes and the library will do. He can also get copies from the medics he befriends. Make sure nothing is missing from them, (he should copy EVERYTHING).

Once again, I believe he'll be coming back to you soon, in good health and ready to take up where he left off.

:hug:

O8)

[Catherine Vincent]

32. Why can't they show the bottom of their feet?

Not that they would want to anyway....

[rasputin1952]

36. In some societies...

it is considered rude. Like giving the bird or 'mooning' someone. I know in Italy, you can get beat up pretty bad for some hand gestures we consider innocuous. It's all in the 'culture'.

O8)

[Catherine Vincent]

45. Thanks.

[Enough is Enough]

33. If he is in pain due to back problems

he has no business going to Iraq! He needs to keep going to the Doctor! How much can they do to him if he is in pain from scholiosis? You need to get him to push it. The only thing that could happen is he would be discharged. A true Honorable Discharge! Contact your Senators & Congressmen if necessary. He has no business being sent over with back problems!

I hope all will be well with your son.

[rasputin1952]

37. Welcome to DU!

And kick bush in the ass if you see him!

I know I will.

O8)

[boobooday]

34. George Bush only wishes he was 1/3 the patriot

Mari's stepson is.

He isn't fit to shine the shoes of these soldiers.

Mari, I hope your stepson's departure is delayed long enough we can kick this SOB out.

Jeanette
http://www.wgoeshome.com

[rasputin1952]

38. As a vet...

I agree.

It disgusts me that bush and his ilk hide behind the same flag that Mari's son will stand in front of to protect our country.

This war has nothing to do with democracy and reeks of political gain; but it will help to get bush out of office. There is nothing more important than getting rid of bush and sending him packing to back to TX.

O8)

[resist]

35. A little off topic

First of all, bless you. I can imagine your worry; it must be hard to think of anything else.

I've been on Army and Marine Wives message boards all day, trying to convince them to write their congresspeople asking that the administration basically accept responsibility for a fuckup (of course I put it a bit more diplomatically than that). I've been amazed. Perhaps it is because they are so sensitive to criticism that they jump to the conclusion that any criticism is criticism of their soldiers, not the adminnistration. Took a fair amount of back and forth talking to convince them that most Americans treasure and want to protect our soldiers - they're our children. But their general messages seem so different from your talk with your son; made me wish I could copy it to their list. I'd sure encourage you to visit the marinewives.com and armywives.com site and post this yourself; I think they could use some awakening.

Anyway, we'll all sure think of yours.

[Mari333]

48. send them this link

www.mfso.org
they might see some other moms and wives and family members with loved ones in Iraq with a totally different take on this whole bloodbath..it would be good for them to see...

[smirkymonkey]

39. I am so sorry for you and your family!!

That discussion outraged me!! How dare they treat them that way! He gets in trouble if you call? Can't get proper health care, sleep, food, answers??? For gods sake, this has got to stop!!

My heart goes out to you and I will try to channel my anger positively by working to get assface out of office. I can't imagine how you deal with this. So sorry!

[Jazzgirl]

40. Mari, my brother just left last Sunday for Ft. McCoy.

He told me he couldn't tell me he was going to 'Operation Enduring Freedom' and not 'Operation Iraqi <whatever>'. I feel so bad because there is absolutely nothing I can do. I will do one thing tho....I'll make sure * doesn't get my vote! He never did as gov of Texas either!

[rasputin1952]

41. I am sorry to hear your brother got called up...

my heart goes out to you, and hope he isn't sent overseas.

The best thing we can do, is get this SOB out of OUR WH!

:hug:

O8)

[Mari333]

46. Im sorry that happened so sorry he left

((hugs)) the big rotation is occuring..watching C Span this morning and all the big shot generals on there makes me want to kick in the TV as they beg for more money for this bloodbath..Only Sen Levin takes them to task on the lies and spin...

[anarchy1999]

43. Mari- our hearts break

Hang in there please. I don't know how to tell you to do it, but you will. I am so sorry for what your family is being forced to go through. In the end, it will be for something. That is all we have to hold on to. Hang on Mari.

[Mari333]

47. Got a hold of Levins office so

I got a hold of a military affairs person...gave me a number my stepson can call to go above the heads of the guys who he is scared of..Ill give him the number tonight..
edit to add: the military affairs person told me my husband, who has power of attorney for his son, cannot have the military records of his sons medical procedures that he is getting now..and that no military family can sue the military for malpractice..I asked her
"what if he gets to Iraq, his back goes out, he gets wounded or hurt and it boils down to his back pain and scoliosis causing it? then I want his papers and records so I can show that the army sent him WITH a medical condition and take responsibility"
She said "you cant get them, the army wont release them, but have your stepson call me if he wants to and we can handle this"
This is Levins office, so I trust her.

[rasputin1952]

50. She was correct as to the P-o-Atty deal...

even as next of kin, you cannot get current med rec's. But you son can, there are ways.

It is also true that you cannot sue the military for malpractice, (unless they agree to it).

There are times when your son will have access to his med rec's, and that is when he needs to get copies.

Keep in touch with Levins office. The IG can also be helpful in these situations. His unit CO cannot come back on him for going to the IG.

Keep us posted!

O8)